Bethlehem High School/diocese Photo

Best Kentucky Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 379 private schools serving 71,910 students in Kentucky (there are 1,544 public schools, serving 655,820 students). 10% of all K-12 students in Kentucky attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $8,769 for elementary schools and $9,155 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Kentucky include Villa Madonna Academy, Sayre School, and Louisville Collegiate School.
The average acceptance rate is 85% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 13% and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
75% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.

Overview

This State (KY)
US
# Schools
379 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
71,910 Students
5,699,718 Students
% Average Students of Color
13%
34%

Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
5,933 Teachers
508,053 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
72%
55%
Average Class Size
16 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
13 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1311
(Out of 1600)
1234
Average ACT score
26
(Out of 36)
26

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$10,221
$14,879
Average Summer Program Cost
$857
$1,136
Average % on Financial Aid
28%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$4,474
$7,139
Average Acceptance Rate
85%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$33.64 million
$61.9 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.49
0.65
# American Indian Students
114 Students
29,879 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
1,489 Students
265,081 Students
% Asian Students
2%
5%
# Hispanic Students
1,874 Students
507,336 Students
% Hispanic Students
3%
9%
# Black Students
2,122 Students
416,665 Students
% Black Students
3%
7%
# White Students
46,845 Students
2,933,287 Students
% White Students
68%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
147 Students
20,067 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
16,651 Students
1,472,129 Students
% of Others Students
24%
26%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
8 sports
7 sports

Top-Ranked Kentucky Private Schools by County (2026)

County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
1
195
5%
4
131
2%
3
369
8%
16
1,595
7%
2
73
2%
2
331
5%
2
319
6%
1
49
3%
3
167
10%
3
375
3%
1
64
3%
1
22
1%
2
93
2%
19
2,865
20%
1
153
7%
1
118
3%
3
175
7%
6
1,001
11%
5
416
7%
3
349
11%
9
2,115
12%
36
8,920
18%
2
152
3%
5
1,086
13%
2
199
3%
5
107
3%
1
33
1%
6
1,258
7%
3
211
5%
1
80
3%
2
550
7%
5
377
5%
1
57
3%
91
28,263
23%
3
232
3%
2
112
3%
43
8,125
27%
1
131
6%
3
378
4%
2
119
5%
1
34
2%
2
67
2%
2
71
2%
3
1,062
10%
1
24
1%
4
549
4%
1
175
5%
2
322
7%
1
217
8%
1
133
3%
2
36
2%
9
1,384
16%
4
1,039
8%
1
27
2%
2
70
1%
3
588
6%
3
304
8%
4
354
3%
4
646
8%
1
43
1%
1
168
5%
2
210
5%
1
238
10%
7
1,385
6%
1
224
11%
1
85
3%
1
48
4%
3
397
9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Kentucky?
The top-ranked private schools in Kentucky include Villa Madonna Academy, Sayre School, and Louisville Collegiate School.
How many private schools are located in Kentucky?
There are 379 private schools are located in Kentucky.
How much do private schools cost in Kentucky?
The average private school tuition in Kentucky is $8,769 for elementary schools and $9,155 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Kentucky?
Approximately 13% of students in Kentucky private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in Kentucky go to private school?
10% of all K-12 students in Kentucky attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Kentucky?
75% of private schools in Kentucky are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.
Which private schools in Kentucky are often viewed compared to one another?

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